Film Studies 260 - NEW MEDIA/PARTICIPATORY CULTUR

Among the claims made for the newness of new media is the assertion that new media are interactive, turning the passive consumers of "old" media into active, engaged participants. This course explores the shape of this technologically-enabled "participatory culture" and will also investigate cracks in the foundation of the alleged digital utopia. To what extent are new technologies democratizing and to what extent do they offer new forms of surveillance and control to the powers that be? What social and economic factors govern "convergence culture?" How have fan cultures evolved as their material networks of conventions and zines go digital?